I went to oil change for my car on Saturday at Toyota dealer. My car is now at 85K miles, and I asked for 90K service quotation while I was at the dealer. The minimum recommended services is $798.41.
Here's the list of things they do.
Replace engine oil and filter
Replace engine air filter
Replace differential oil
Re-tongue drive shaft bolt (4WD)
Rotate tires
Check battery connections and clean and tighten if needed
Inspect ball joints and dust covers
Inspect brake lines and hoses
Inspect and adjust brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs if applicable
Inspect drive belts
Inspect drive shaft boots
Audible inspection of engine valve clearance
Inspect exhaust pipes and mountings
Inspect fuel lines and connections
Inspect fuel tank band
Inspect fuel tank cap gasket
Inspect fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
Inspect nuts and bolts on chasses and body and tighten if needed
Inspect steering gear box
Inspect steering linkage and boots
Inspect charcoal canister
Replace air conditioning filter
Replace timing belt 4 cylinder
Replace transfer case fluid
Replace differential fluid 4WD
Replace automatic transmission fluid
I have no clue about car maintenance vocabulary. I talked to my co-worker who is an engineer and he thinks this is reasonable estimate for a dealer. Any suggestion?
Anybody good with car maintenance vocabulary?
April 28th, 2008 at 05:26 pm
April 28th, 2008 at 05:46 pm 1209404795
Do you have to stay with your dealer to maintain your warranty? I recall having to do that for my tires....
Otherwise, I would probably go to another shop (or two), show them this list, and ask them how much they would charge for these things, and if it turns out to be a lot cheaper, I'd just go there instead.
April 28th, 2008 at 06:03 pm 1209405836
Timing belt for sure. I'd buy a Chilton manual or Haynes just to be able to do look at these things yourself and be prepared/informed.
There is really so much on that list that you could do yourself (air filter, battery cables) if it doesn't conflict with a warranty. I'm always amazed at what dealerships try to do to people!!!
April 28th, 2008 at 07:09 pm 1209409782
Replace engine air filter
This is $14.95 @ my mechanic's.
Check battery connections and clean and tighten if needed
This you can do yourself. You can also check your own automatic transmission fluid.
Try to get another estimate or two and ask if it's necessary to get those items done.
April 28th, 2008 at 08:38 pm 1209415133
Dealers are HUGE money drains. Warranty is the only reason to do this (which I would argue if the warranty is worth it then).
I have a mechanic I would recommend, if you like.
Honestly, we do little more than change our oil to maintain our cars. When jiffy lube starts making up stuff to fix (most of the time) I run it to our mechanic and he checks things over for us. & we make sure we take it in at least once a year for a brake/tire/belt check (that kind of stuff). Works for us. But what do I know, my last Toyota only lasted 200k miles/20 years.
The thing about the dealer is they are going to replace a lot of stuff whether it needs it or not - in the name of prevention. I just don't see the point, personally.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:07 pm 1209420422
Till the warranty period we even got the oil changes done at the dealers inspite of the rip off using coupons etc. The tire rotation and air filter replacing are super easy even for non mechanics and we have done it on our own after the warranty. We do the sched maintenance at major milestones with whichever dealer is cheapest.
April 29th, 2008 at 09:40 am 1209462016
Sounds like your list is just a bunch of Inspections (no doubt, to find more stuff to "recommend").
As for the timing belt replacement, if you really need one, i'm pretty sure you can get that done for around $200 - $250 (Parts & Labor) total. Anybody else got a more accurate estimate? I'd love to add this to my Price Comparison category.
April 29th, 2008 at 02:15 pm 1209478543
I am pretty anal about oil changes though. Those are key to driving a car for decades.
April 29th, 2008 at 02:37 pm 1209479842
April 29th, 2008 at 03:16 pm 1209482184
I bought this car new, and I'm planning to drive till wheels fall off. And, I want to take care of it well. But, I don't want to get ripped off, either.
By the way, it always amazes me "how much you know" saves a lot of money. Knowledge sure is a power.
May 8th, 2008 at 06:20 pm 1210270836